The Rowlett Historical Society was organized on April 16, 1979 with a Charter No. 506771 granted on January 24, 1980. The board of directors were: Mrs. J. L W. (Selena) Herfurth, W. H. (Bill) Coyle, James Thompson, Mrs. Frank (Nora) Sperling, and Vernon Schrade. The objective of this society was to seek and bring together people who were interested in the preservation of the early history of the Rowlett community. They wanted to provide a central location in the city of Rowlett to receive and display articles donated or loaned and to formally make plans and build a future historical building and museum.